She thinks they need to take Irene up on her offer to take Luc – they can’t keep going on like this…

The drama is set to continue next week while Irene is looking after Luc.

Ash will be miffed when he turns up to take her out, just to be told that she’s gone down for a sleep and he should reorganise the outing for another day.

He ends up blowing off steam to Justin, who ends up giving him the determination to go back to Irene so he can get his time with Luc.

Ash isn’t happy he’s been denied access to Luc (Picture: Channel 5)

However, when he can’t find her at home or the Diner, he discovers that Luc was at Olivia and Hunter’s place with Irene – which just makes him angrier that she denied him the opportunity to spend time with her.

Roo had hinted to Ash while he was looking for Irene that she’d had a difficult past with her kids, and when Olivia tells him Irene is great with Luc, he digs for more information.

Olivia accidentally drops Irene in it, presuming that Ash knows more than he does.

She tells him that Irene’s kids were taken away from her – and it probably wasn’t just because of her drinking.

Ash is driven to boiling point with this new knowledge, and storms over to Irene’s place, demanding to take Luc.

Ash finds out the truth about Irene’s past (Picture: Channel 5)

He pushes into her house and uses Irene’s past against her. What’s more, he accuses her, Leah and VJ of not being up to looking after Luc – she should be with him.

Irene is furious and a massive argument takes place, with her threatening to call the police – but Ash says that he will fight her on this, all the way to court.

When Kat finds out about Ash’s decision, she isn’t impressed – he hasn’t thought this through properly.

After having some time to cool down, Irene and Ash try to discuss the issue calmly, but VJ arrives halfway through and is furious that Ash wants to go for custody.

The three of them get into a heated discussion, with Irene trying to keep the peace – and she says that they all have to suck it up until Leah gets back.

Kat doesn’t think Ash should go for custody (Picture: Channel 5)

Meanwhile, Kat tries to talk Ash down about going after custody, but is taken aback when Ash suggests Luc needs a stable home life with them both. Why has she suddenly been included in a family with a kid?

Patrick is also shocked that Ash is going for custody, but he doesn’t feel he has a choice, as Luc needs someone to be there for her no matter what.

His brother reminds him that Billie loved VJ, and wouldn’t want him to get hurt – although Ash is right to be worried, going in all guns blazing doesn’t always work.

Patrick seems to be speaking from experience, and his words have an impact on Ash.